Centered within the city limits of Seattle, Lake Union has remained a busy place for the last 100 years. Logically named the Union of Waters well before the Montlake and Fremont cuts, Thomas Mercer visualized adjacent Lake Washington linked to the Puget Sound through Lake Union.
   With its close proximity to the Puget Sound and Pacific Ocean, the Lake Union area attracted shipyards, shipping wharves and sawmills. Today, Lake Union Drydock Company, one of the oldest and largest in-town industrial complexes, is spread over 12 acres. With U.S. Navy certified dry docks, the shipyard has moved away from building a line of cutters, clippers and canoes, to ship repair.
   One of two dozen lakeside parks and street-ends, Gas Works Park is the largest on Lake Union. The 20 acre park is noted for its award winning conversion from a coal gasification plant to one of the most popular stops for Seattleans. Now a site for concerts and fireworks, the shoreline walk, Kite Hill, and a play barn ensure its popularity.
   Plenty of boat launch areas and lake access points provide ample opportunity for water recreation. It’s not uncommon to see sailboats, wooden boats, canoes and kayaks gliding around the lake. This picturesque late day sunset view catches sailboat and crew making the most of their day on Lake Union.

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